What You Can Do Before The Storm Damage Cleanup Team Arrives

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

What You Can Do vs. What We can Do

Let’s set the scene – your home or business has become an object of storm damage. It’s damaged, but not so badly that you can’t move around it and tackle some minor cleaning tasks. What should you do? SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga is on their way and will be able to handle all of the major issues, but you feel helpless at this moment. Well, there are some things that you can do.

Protect Your Furniture from Additional Damage

The number one thing that any storm damage cleanup expert will tell you is to protect your furniture from further damage. There’s an easy solution here – take some bricks, aluminum foil, plastic or wooden blocks and prop up all of your furniture on them. Place one block under each leg. This is great to do, especially if you have wooden legs on carpeting, as the water in the carpet will continue to soak into the furniture. SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga will need less time drying out your affected area if the furniture is no longer directly on it.

Turn On the Air Conditioning and Any Fans

If it is safe to do so (and the weather is warm enough) turn on your air conditioning and any fans – either floor models or ceiling units. Air circulation will assist in dry out. Anything that the fans are pointing at will dry faster. Leave these fans on until SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga arrives. REMEMBER: DO NOT USE ELECTRICAL OUTLETS AROUND AREAS WITH STANDING WATER.

Move All of Your Breakable Objects

Whether the damaged rooms of your home are filled with art, vases, collectible ceramics, or even model cars, you’ll need to move them into a different room. Choose a room that hasn’t been hit by the storm, or if there are none, pack them up well and place them in the garage or even in a neighbor’s house for safekeeping. You don’t want risk any further damage when cleanup crews arrive.  

Remove As Much Excess Water As You Can

While you may not have access to the professional tools and equipment that SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga carries, you can still do your best to soak up some of the water. Get some dry clothes and begin to blot the water out of your carpeting, wipe up puddles on tile or wood floors, and do your very best to get rid of that excess water. Once the storm damage cleanup crew arrives, we will take over from there.

Pick Up Items from The Floor

Although you’ve already been warned to remove breakable objects, you also want to remove non-breakables from the area. Before SERVPRO of South Rancho Cucamonga arrives, get as many waterlogged items off of the floor as you can. These include floor lamps (but only if it’s safe to do so), books, or anything else that found its way to the floor during the storm. This task will allow more room for crews to begin their water damage restoration process, as well as provide safe passage for your family or friends. 

Finally, read these tips on What You Are NOT To Do After A Flood.

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.